IND vs NZ: When one talks about New Zealand cricket team there is a realisation that their journey on the international level has been as soothing as the landscapes of their country. Their black outfit, good boy image and an attitude to never give up have shrugged off the underdogs tag they carried for long with them. Follow more such news on InsideSport.IN.
IND vs NZ: WTC champions New Zealand’s 33-year wait to win a Test match in India continues
New Zealand cricket has been a revelation at least in the last six years. Reaching the final of 2015 World Cup, repeating the feat in 2019 and then winning the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) in 2020 – all these things can’t be a fluke. Very apparently, New Zealand are a force to reckon now.
India have been at the receiving end of the Kiwis on the biggest stages of the game on more than one occasion. The heart-break defeat in the semi-final of 2019 World Cup in England is something which no ardent cricket fan in India will forget. Almost a year later, India were outdone by the Kiwis in the final of World Test Championship (WTC). Most recently, New Zealand got the better of the Virat Kohli-led side at the T20 World Cup 2021, making it almost impossible to qualify for the next stage.
New Zealand have become India’s perennial nemesis! Just an observation, but India had to settle for a draw in the first Test in Kanpur. Ajinkya Rahane was leading the team and India were just one wicket away from taking a 1-0 lead in the 2-Test series. A lot of drama unfurled as debutant Rachin Ravindra played as many as 91 deliveries to save the match for his team. Some more time in the match could have seen India grab a win but the precaution taken against ‘perennial nemesis’ New Zealand became fatal in the end. India batted for longer than required, might be as a precaution and set a 284-run target for the Kiwis.
The reason behind it could be the 151-run opening partnership between Will Young and Tom Latham in the first innings. That definitely was a reason why India did not take any risk and took longer than required to declare the innings and set a fourth innings target for New Zealand. In the 284-run chase, New Zealand were reeling at 165 for 9 when the match ended in a draw.
Amid all the glory New Zealand fails in India again! 12,066 days and counting…
That said, New Zealand looked set to achieve something magical on the Indian soil in the second and final match of the series. But alas, it all fell down again. New Zealand’s biggest dream to seal their maiden series win in India ended with a 372-run defeat in the very first hour on 4 Mumbai.
In the Mumbai Test, Ajaz Patel created history and scalped 10 wickets in an innings. However, a miserable batting performance (62 and 167) let the WTC champions and No. 1 ranked Test team fall like a house of cards.
New Zealand’s 33-year long wait to win a Test match, forget a series, continues in 2021. The last time the team won was in 1988, when former India coach John Wright led the team in Mumbai. The only other time, New Zealand have won in India was in 1969. Graham Dowling had marshalled his troops to a 167-run win in Nagpur.
Thanks for hosting us, India.
Congratulations on a well-deserved Test Series win.
See you again soon 👋 #INDvNZ pic.twitter.com/BNWf6fWXGS
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) December 6, 2021
Overall, New Zealand have played 36 matches in India, losing 17 and playing as many draws. They have faced an innings defeat four times, while lost by a margin of 150 or more runs on eight occasions.
Two of New Zealand’s most experienced batsmen – Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor have played 8 and 10 matches respectively in the country, but their batting averages sums up their team’s struggle against the SG Test balls in India. Williamson averages 33.53, while Taylor’s dismal figure reads a measly 21.15.
May be the team could have overcome the jinx, but a playing eleven consisting the likes of Nathan Astle, Kane Williamson, Richard Hadlee, Daniel Vettori, Brendon McCullum and now Ajaz Patel would be required.
Their record in Asia is also a forgettable one. A total of 80 matches with just 12 wins.
A series win in Pakistan, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have come, but India is yet to be conquered.
IND vs NZ: WTC champions New Zealand’s 33-year wait to win a Test match in India continues
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